World Nuclear News

Unit 1 of the Sanmen nuclear power plant in China's Zhejiang province has reached full power operation for the first time. In late-June, the unit became the world's first AP1000 to achieve grid connection and power generation.

Washington State's Department of Ecology has launched a 45-day public comment period on whether to allow the US Department of Energy to fill a radioactive waste-containing tunnel at the Hanford site with grout.

The China Advanced Research Reactor has been operated continuously at high-power for 14 days, setting a new operational record for the 60 MWt light-water tank-in-pool type unit. The reactor has also completed its first batch of irradiation tasks.

Rusatom International Network has signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation with the Eurasian Development Bank, which provides for establishing common principles of bilateral cooperation with Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and other countries.

The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation and its subsidiaries have launched the Barakah Youth Council to "inspire, support, and empower" future leaders of the United Arab Emirates' nuclear energy industry.

The first shielded waste transfer package has been installed onto one of three machines at the Magnox Swarf Storage Silo (MSSS) at the Sellafield site in the UK. The machines will begin removing magnesium swarf waste from the building's 22 silo compartments from next year.

Chugoku Electric Power Company has initiated the regulatory process for starting up unit 3 at its Shimane nuclear power plant by applying to the Japanese regulator for a review to assess the 1373 MWe ABWR's compliance with revised safety standards.

The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is working with the US Department of Defense, the Department of Energy and the National Security Council to identify power plants that are "critical" to the nation's power grid.

Milestones in the commissioning of the AP1000s under construction at the Haiyang nuclear power plant in China's Shandong province were met on 8 August. Unit 1 achieved first criticality, while fuel loading started at unit 2.